Jet-condenser.



ZPATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

L. R. ALBERGER. JET CONDENSER. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24, 1902.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1- NO MODEL.

032m QZQ WITNESSES: I

w. oz/a INVENTOR ATTORNEY No. 723,972, PATENTED MAR. 31, 1903.

L. R. ALBERGER.

JET CONDENSER.

APPLICATION 31mm ran. 24, 1902.

' .no MODEL. a sums-sum z.

VIII//I/IIIIIIIIIIII- VII/4 nnml III I wuln INVENTOR ATTORNE;

PATENTBD MAR. 31, 190-3.

L'. R. ALBERGER.

JET CONDENSER.

APPLIOATION FILED r25. 24, 1902.

3 SHBETBBHBET 3.

N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES INVENTOR- ATTORNEY' Nl'TED STATES.

P TENT FFICE.

LOUIS R. ALBERGER, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO ALBERGER CONDENSER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

JET-CONDENSER.

SPECIFiOATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 723,972, dated March 31, 1903. Application filed February 24, 19oz. Serial No. 95,176. tNornodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that '1, Louis B. ALBERGER, a

. citizen of the United States of America, and

a resident of the city, county, and State of' New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in let-Condensers, of which the following is a specification,

My invention relates to means for effecting the condensation of steam and. other vapors,

and it has special reference to that class or type of jet-condensers arranged inan elevated position and having separate water and dry-vacuum putnps;'the one handling only the water for-condensation, which-it discharges into the condenser, while the other performs the duty of exhausting the air from the condenser and the pipe system,said type of condenser having .also a barometric tailpipe or stand-pipe, through which the condensed steam and heated water fall by gravity against the pressure of the atmosphere and escape from the apparatus, or having a pumping apparatus to remove said water or liquid.

The object of the-inyention'is to providean improved condenser of this typein which may be combined the various advantageous features of the parallel-currentand of the counter-current.condenser; and'theinvention consists, essentially, in the novel and useful construction, arrangeinent,'and combination of parts and in numerous details and pecul iarities thereof, substantially aswill be here-. inafter described and then moreparticularly pointed out in the ensuing claims.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating my invention, Figurel is a side elevation of my present improved jet-condenser shown in connection with the pumps and the pipe systeln. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the condenser-chamber with the interior and the connected parts. Fig.6 is'a detail sectional view of the automatically-adjustable spraying-cone belonging to the inlet-nozzle for the'inj-ection water, the same being shown'ona larger scale than it is in Fig. 2. Fig. at is a horizontal transverse section on the linear or of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is another horizontal transverse section on the line y y of Fig. 2. I

Similar characters of reference denote cortion-water into the condenser.

responding parts throughoutthe different figures of the drawings.

-1 denotes the shell of the condensing-chainber, being of a general cylindrical form and having any desired dimensions. At the lower end of the main shell 1 is the conical shell 2, which connects with thetail-pipe or barometric tube 3, having its lower end submerged in the hot-well 4. At the top of the main shell 1 is a shell or casing 26, within which are an air-cooler and a separating-chamber. At some suitable point in the Wall of the shell 1 is an opening 11 for the admission of exhausts steam into the condenser from the engine or other apparatus with which the condenser may be connected.

12 designates the exhaust-steam pipe that leads from the engine and is connected to the condenser at the opening 11, as shown in Fig. 1. At another point in the wall of the shell .1, preferably opposite to the exhaust-inlet 11,

is an injection-water inlet 6, that is entered by the water-supply pipe 7, running from the .water-pu mp 8 or other water-supply,whereby water is transferred to the condenser to be used for purposes of condensation. The water reaching the condenser through pipe 7 and inlet 6 enters the lateral horizontal branch pipe 27 and the inner chamber or elbow 18, by which its course is deflected to a downward direction. Chamber 18, which may be called a spray-chamber, has a bottom outlet 28, through which the water will issue into theinterior of the condenser and strike the exterior surface of the hollow spraying-cone 16. Both the opening 28 and the sprayingeone 16 are preferably provided, respectively, witha similar series of peripheral teeth 29 and 30 for converting the issuing water into spray, breaking it up into small particles, or finely subdividing it, so that as much surface as possible may be exposed for contact with the steam. The spray-chamber l8 and the spray-cone 16 may be considered together as a spraying-nozzle for discharging the injec- Oone 16 is attaehed to and carried by the lower end of a vertical pipe 17 ,which is yieldingly supported in a stationary central tubular bearing 25, within which it is telescopically arranged, so as to be susceptible of vertical adjustment,

which adjustment is accomplished automatically. In describing the yielding support for said pipe 17 and the means whereby its adjustment is automatically regulated I first mention a rod 19, securely fastened at its upper end to some part of the top structure of the condenser-as, for instance, to some part of the air-coolerand extending downwardly into the upper end of the pipe 17. The lower end of rod 19 is screw-"threaded and provided with a jam-nut 44. (See Fig. 3.) On the rod, above the jam'nut44, is askeleton frame comprising a ring 22, equal in diameter to the pipe 17 and fitting loosely therein, integral with which ring 22 is a series of diagonal arms 23, that are likewise integral with a small ring 24, that loosely surrounds the rod 19 just above nut 44. Screwed into the upper end of pipe l7isa ring 21, that forms an inner rabbet or shoulder at that point. Between ring 21 and ring 22 is tensioned a spiral spring 20. It will be obvious that any agency acting to draw the pipe 17 downward will, if the rod 19 be held stationary, as stated, serve to compress spring 20, the degree of compression being proportionate to the strength of the downward pull, and when such strength decreases spring 20 will expand to a greater or less extent and in so doing will act against the ring 22 and lift pipe 17 to its former position. In other words, I have here provided means for yieldingly or elastically supporting the pipe 17 and also the spraying-cone 16. I have already stated that the cold water entering the condenser issues into the interior chamber through the opening 28 and between said opening and the cone 16, which latter in consequence of its funnel form spreads the issuing water into an umbrella-shaped sheet, which on account of the comb-teeth 29 and 30 is broken into a shower of spray. In practical operation the volume of water passing from the supplypipe into the condenser through this nozzle will vary at difierent times, according to the temperature of the water and the quantity of steam to be condensed, and it is important that the spraying of the water be effectively performed under these varying conditions. This I accomplish by causing the spray-cone 16 to change its position so as to maintain practically a constant pressure of the water at the nozzle irrespective of the volume of water passing. Such movement of cone 16 in correspondence with the variation of the volume of the water is provided for through the yielding means by which the cone is supported, as I have above described. Therefore the size of the opening in the nozzle for the delivery of water into the interior chamber is automatically enlarged or decreased in proportion to the volume of the water supplied. Adverting again to the rod 19, it will be observed that its upper end 42 is screw-threaded and pro-i vided with a jam-nut 41, and in the present example of the invention this end 42 passes through a plate in the air-cooler and the Within the shell'l is an inner cylinder or barrel 13, open at the top and bottom and arranged concentrically with the shell 1, so as to leave an annular space 45 between shell 1 and cylinder 13, the upper end of which annular space is contiguous on one side to the steam-inlet 11. This innercylinder 13 is supported by brackets 15 on shell 1 or by other suitable means, and its bottom periphery is preferably provided with a series of slots 14 to provide spraying comb-teeth similar to those of cone 16, the object of this comb being to allow some of the water that falls in a deluge through the cylinder 13 to spread laterally between the teeth into the lower end of annular space 45. Thus it will be understood that the exhaust-steam that enters the condenser through the inlet 11 will part of it passinto the cylinder13,while anotherportiou will enter the annular space 45. The part that enters the cylinder 13 will of course directly meet the Water that is showering from the central nozzle, while the part which flows into the annular chamber 45 will not come into contact with the water until it reaches the lower end of said chamber, and the water with which it does then come into contact will have become more or less heated by its previous action on steam in cylinder 13. Arranged centrally in the shell 26, at the top of the condenser, is an air-cooling structure consisting of a cylinder 31, having its lower edge cleft, slotted, or otherwise fashioned to provide openings 43, through which water can flow, as well as to furnish feet for the support of the cylinder, which feet rest on the top plate 46 of main shell 1, which plate is a shallow water-tight receptacle. (See Fig. 2.) Said cylinder 31 reaches from the bottom to the top of shell 26. zontal partitions or plates 33, provided with openings 34, having serrated edges 35 to break up the water that comes in contact with them and allow it to present a large surface to the air. The openings 34 in the alternating partitions are so arranged at opposite sides of the center of the partitions as to cause the falling water to pursue a circuitous direction or back-and-forth movement as it courses through the cooler. A pipe 9 runs from the pipe 7 to the shell 26 and couples to a short connecting-pipe 10, which'leads to the upper part of the cooler-cylinder 31, and through these pipes 9 and 10 cold injection-water is supplied to the air-cooler. This water falls over plates 33, arranged in the cylinder 31,

It contains a series of two or more hori-' ITS until it reaches the bottom of the latter and passes through the openings 43 into the bottom of an annular separating-chamber 32,.

surrounding cooler-cylinder 31, from which chamber 32 its exit is made by way of avertical pipe 40, that leads downward through the condenser to the lower conical shell 2 or to a point from which the water can easily.

fall into said shell. The cylinder 31 is provided near its upper end with an opening 37 .through which air and any entrained part1- pump exhausts air from the condenser and as possible.

creates and maintains as perfect a vacuum Any air that becomes separated from the injection-water below the main delivery-nozzle of the latter within the condensing-chamber will pass upward through pipe 17 into the air-cooler and there come in contact with the cold injection-waterentering through pipe 9, and when this air reaches the top of the cooler it will, as I have already stated, pass into the separating-chamber 32, where any entrained particles of water will be separated from the air, and the air will be withdrawn from the chamber 32 through the outlet 36, while the water will pass away through pipe 40.

The operation may be briefly described, as follows: Exhaust-steam enters the condenser through inlet 11 and impinges directly upon the cold water that is being delivered in a shower of spray from the central nozzle, which causes a portion of steam to bedrivendownward and against the inner wall of the inner cylinder 13, while another portion of exhaust-steam that has not yet come in contact with water passes down into the annular space 45. The water which meets the steam in the inner cylinder 13 will of course be partially heated thereby. The steam in the annular space 45 when it reaches the lower end thereof will meet this partially-heated water and will be condensed to the extent that the temperature of the water will permit. Thus the heated water enters the cone 2 at the highest practical temperature. Air and uncondensable vapors that are entrapped by the water will be drawn into the cone 2. The velocity of the passage of the watervthrough the cone 2 will increase as the diameter of the cone contracts toward its bottom, and hence the air and vapors will be carried down into the tail-pipe 3 and out into the atmosphere, not being allowed an opportunity to separate from the water. Air that is not so entrapped will after having passed through the cold water that flows in a circle around and close to the spraying-cone 16 enter the space under said cone and escape upward through pipe 17 and then through the air-cooler 3l into the separating-chamber32, where, as the velocity of travel is greatly reduced, any particles ofwater will fall out of the air before it passes to the vacuum-pump through the air-outlet 36, and this water will find its way to the condensing-chamber through pipe 40, while at the same time water which has beencarried- "into the air-cooler from the pipe!) will flow into the bottom of the separating-chamber 32 through the opening 43 and similarly pass thence into the condensing-chamber through pipe 40, this additional water suppliedto' the condensing-chamber from the air-cooler being employed therein to condensethe steam in thesame manner as the great bulk of the injection-water that enters through the spraying-nozzle. By this design and arrangement of parts the partly-heated water contacts with incoming steam before leaving the condenser, and the air is cooled by cold injection-water before going to the air pur'np, and the best transfer of heat is obtained without stopping the flow of water. An excess of steam due to a sudden overload on the engines will tend to further drive the water down into the cone and tail-pipe, the vacuum falling of course to a degree corresponding with the increased temperature of the water leaving the condenser. This fall of vacuum, however, does not disarrange the action of the condenser. The direction of the flow of the fluids is unchanged. Hence the characteristic excellencies of both a parallel-current and countercurrent condenser are secured by this construction, for not only does hot water come in contact with incoming hot steam and air come in contact with incoming cold water, two of the advantages which are paramount in a counter-current condenser,bu;t also the action of the incoming steam increases the speed of the flow of the water and obviates the possibility of flooding the vacuum-pump, the high speed of the liquid acts to carry off a large amount of the air, so that a quite complete vacuum is possible without any vacuumpump, and the surface of the spraying-water in contact with the steam is submerged before the water can enter the exhaust-pipe, which aresome of the advantages belonging ordinarily to a parallel-current condenser.

Manifestly the precise construction and combination set forth hereinand illustrated in the drawings are intended simply to exhibit one example of the invention or one form in which it may be embodied, and I do notintend to be restricted closely thereto,but reserve the liberty of varying, changing, and rearranging the parts as experience may advise or suggest in orderthat the best practical form of the invention may be had.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-' p 1. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of asprayin g or spreading device for the water,jand means foryield ingly hanging the same, all arranged'so'that the downward discharge of water against the spraying device may adjust the latter to allow the inflow of a greater or less amount of water.

2. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and alsoa water-inlet, of a spraying or spreading device for the water and a pipe to which said device is attached, which pipe provides for the escape of air.

3. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a yielding spraying device for the water, and an air-cooler to which air is conducted from beneath said devlce.

4:. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a yielding spraying device for the water, an air-cooler wherein the airis brought into contact with cold injectionwater, and means for conducting air to the air-cooler from beneath the spraying device.

5. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also awater-inlet, of a spraying or spread ing device for the water, a pipe to which said device is attached and means for yieldingly supporting said pipe.

6. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a spraying or spreading device for the water, a pipe by which said device is supported, and an air-cooler entered by the other end of said pipe so that air from below the spreading device may be conveyed directly to the cooler.

7. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a waterinlet, of a spraying or spreading device for the water, a pipe by which said device is carried, yielding means consisting essentially of a spring for supporting said pipe, and an air-cooler entered by said pipe.

8. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a spraying or spreading device for the water, a spraying-chamber in connection with which it is arranged, and means for yieldingly hanging the device so that the volume of the water passing downwardly by said device may automatically regulate the size of the opening.

9. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet,of a spreading or spraying device for the water, a pipe to which it is attached, an air-cooler entered by said pipe, and means for delivering cold injectionwater to said cooler together with means for exhausting the air from the cooler.

10. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a spraying device for the water, an air-pipe by which said device is supported, an air-cooler entered by said pipe, means for delivering water to said cooler, a chamber wherein air and water may be separated, a pipe for carrying water from said chamber and vacuum-producing means for exhausting air from said chamber.

11. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of means for spreading or distributing the water in said chamber, a centrally-arranged pipe for conducting air from below said means, an air-cooler entered by said pipe, which cooler contains perforated plates and is provided with waterdischarge openings at the bottom, means for delivering water to the top of the cooler, a chamber surrounding the cooler wherein air and water are separated, a pipe for conveying away said water and means for exhausting the air from the separating-chamber.

12. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a tail-pipe, a shell between the tail-pipe and condensing-chamber, and a concentric cylinder within the condensingchamber for providing an annular chamber to receive a portion of the exhaust, and means for spraying the injection-water in the inner cylinder.

13. In a condenser, the combination with a condensingchamber of an inner cylinder within the condensing-chamber for providing an annular chamber to convey a portion 'of the exhaust to the lower end where it is discharged.

14. In acondenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a concentric cylinder within the condensing-chamber for providing an annular chamber to convey a portion of the exhaust through it to the lower end where it is discharged, and means for spraying the water in the condensing-chamber.

15. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of an inner cylinder concentric with the condensing-chamber to provide an annular chamber for receiving a portion of'the exhaust, means for distributing the spraying-water within the inner cylinder so that partially-heated water may be brought into contact with the steam that courses through the-annular chamber.

16. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber,of an inner spray-chamher that receives the injection-water, a spraying-cone beneath said spray-chamber, a pipe for supporting said cone, and means consisting essentially of a spring for yieldingly sup porting the pipe, all arranged so that the discharge of water from the spray chamber against the cone may adjust the latter to allow the exit of a greater or less amount of water.

17. In a condensing system in which the air or a part of the air is removed from the condensing-chamber by an air-pump, the combination with the condenser and connections to the air-pump, of a yielding spraying device for the water, and an air-cooler for cooling the air on its way to the air-pump from a point beneath the spraying device, in which cooler the air is brought into contact with water. 7

18. In a condensing system in which the air or a part of the air is removed from the condensing-chamber by an air-pump, the combination with the condenser and connections to the air-pump, of a spraying device for the water, and an air-cooler for cooling the air on its way to the air-pump from a point beneath the spraying device, in which cooler the air is brought into contact with a separate supply of water.

19. In a condensing system in which air or a part of the air is removed from the condensing-chamber by an air-pump, the combination with the condenser and connections to the air-pump, a tail-pipe and a conical shell between the tail-pipe and condensingchamber, of an inner cylinder within the condensing-chamber for providing an annular chamber for receiving a portion of the exhaust and conveying it to the lower end whereit is discharged, means for spraying the injection-water in the condensing-chamher, and an air-cooler in which the air removed from beneath the spraying device is brought into contact with the coolingliquid.

20. In a condenser, the combination with a.

condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a spraying or spreading device for the water entering said chamber, and an air-cooler having a supply of Water separate from the condensing-chamber supply.

21. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a spraying or spreading device for the water entering said chamber, means for yieldingly supporting said device, and an air-cooler having a supply of water separate from the condensing-chamber supply.

22. In a condenser, the combination with a condensing-chamber having an exhaust-inlet and also a water-inlet, of a spraying device for the water, a pipe to which said device is attached, an air-cooler to which air is conducted through the pipe from beneath said spraying device, said air-cooler having a water supply separate from the condensingchamber supply.

Signed at New York city, New York, this 13th day of February, 1902.

LOUIS R. ALBERGER.

Witnesses:

M. L. SHAY, E. H. TUCKER. 

